Shoofly

You mean Postum table MS.

Hi and welcome.It might be easier if you tell us what your thinking of LDS folks and beliefs are. Our basic beliefs are stated in our 13 Articles of Faith. 1. We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost. 2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's trangression. 3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. 4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. 5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinaces thereof. 6. We believe in the same orginization the existed in the Primitive Church,namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. 7. We believe in the gift of tounges, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tounges, and so forth. 8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God, as far as it is translated correctly; We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God. 9. We believe all that God has revealed, all the He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. 10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be buily upon the American continent; that Chrisy will reign personally upon the earth; and that the earth will be renewed and recieve its paradisical glory. 11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law. 13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul- We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything vituous, lovely, or of good report or praisworthy, we seek after these things.

Way to go. I am as pleased as punch for you.

Congrats MorningStar. I always enjoy reading your posts. I don't often reply because of time constraints but many of them I ponder through out the day.

I wanted to wait until I heard what Mitt had to say before responding to your post. And now after just hearing it I am to emotional to speak. Just one word about his talk. WOW!I think Mitt has jumped a huge hurtle this morning.

Ha! I've heard that said before also Rick about deserving the call to Bishop.I'm not comfortable with the idea that someone is aspiring for a calling unless the motives behind it are very sincere. For example if someone is wanting to be Bishop because they look upon it as a job of prestige and power, shame on them. And believe me there are people who are like that. I know a fellow who had been second counciler in a Bishopric for just a short time when the entire Bishopric was re-organised. He was pretty sure he was going to be called as new Bishop and was pretty let down when he was not called, even as a counciler. He was then called to be a Scout leader and turned it down because he felt it was beneath him. So then he was called to serve on the High Council. He accepted that one. I was stunned at his actions and was a little surprised he was called to the Stake calling. But now if someone is wanting a calling because they feel they could best serve there, or are more comfortable , I can understand that. Most folks will serve where they are called to do, which is one of the more amazing things about how the Church functions. Tell me it isn't inspired.

I'm an early bird for sure. I'm a morning person all the way. Best time of the day.

Welcome, welcome welcome.

Well thanks for doing the survey gvr. These kind of things are fun. Wish more folks would particapate.

You hit it on the head. We are going to be critisized by some no matter what we do or don't do. So we just do what we believe the Lord wants us to do and not worry about the naysayers. What better example do we have of that than in the scriptures themselves of how Christ was treated when he went about doing his ministry. Elder Wirthlin's October Conference talk hit on charity very well.

I have a dilemma. Acute shyness I guess. I am unbelievebly ill at ease in any type of leadership or teaching position. I'm talking bad enough you could call it a phobia. I have a strong testimony, I have a desire to serve my fellow man. But I would much rather do it in a quiet anonymous manner. No, I don't seek after positions of power. If I didn't have to serve in such positions again I'd be fine with it. But it's not that I don't want to serve, it's just this horrible phobia I have. That makes it tough in this Church because it being a lay ministry, we all have a need to serve in leadership roles.

I am interested in the responses to these basic questions. 1. Is the LDS definition of being "saved" different from non LDS? 2. Does one need to be baptized by one with authority to recieve salvation? 3. Is baptizm a requirement for salvation? 4. The first principles of the Gospel are Faith in Christ, Repentence for sins, Baptizm for remission of sins, and reception of the Holy Ghost. Is this needed for salvation or just for exaltation?

Well without reading any of the other responses, here are my reasons.1. To fellowship online with other Saints across the world. I enjoy hearing about members lives who don't live in Utah. 2. To learn. I enjoy most of the responses that folks give to questions posed here. 3. I can't really think of a third reason, so maybe if there is anything I post that helps another with their journey that might be a good 3rd reason.

I agree but I tend to feel that timing is everything. In other words not only sharing my testimony but doing so when the time is right. I think it has to be when I know the person well enough, and they know me well enough, and that the partcular moment is the right time to do so. I think the Spirit will direct us in this matter which is why it is so critical that we are in tune with the promptings of the Spirit. I also think it should be done more one on one than in a crowd. I have a co-worker who is a non-LDS Christian who will witness to whoever will listen to him at the drop of a hat. I admire his desire to share but he has built quite a reputation as one most folks try to avoid getting to know to well because they know he will begin to get "preachy" with them. That bothers a lot of folks. I think the Spirit will direct you when the time is right, but even more critical is that our lives should be a living testimony and should better demonstrate what we believe, maybe even more than whatever we can say.

I will Amen Kates Amen. Good responses, all of them.